Healthy mangroves are essential to all inhabitants, human and otherwise, of the Rakhine Coast. Without them, existence here would be dramatically different. Thanks to RCA and our partner organizations’ work, 48 villages have established community forests in Southern Rakhine that protect 10,000 acres of mangrove and upland forest and have re-planted over 5 million seedlings. Later in 2015, in collaboration with the Myanmar Forest Department and RECOFTC Organization, we will help more villages establish community forests, bringing the grand total to 24,000 acres protected acres.
A “Community Forest” certificate is a legal land use agreement between a community and the Myanmar Forestry Department. Each community participating in the project has created a management plan for their CF that is valid for 30 years. Any changes to the management plan must be applied for and approved by the Department of Forestry. While each management plan is different depending on the community, at a minimum, 150 mature trees must be left in every acre of CF land, and those that are harvested and used must be re-planted.
“Land-grabbing” has become more and more common on the Rakhine Coast. Establishment of CF is the only legal mechanism that currently exists in Myanmar to protect a forest while still allowing it to be used by the community.
Why we need Community Forests
Over fifty species of birds including several rare species like the White Bellied Eagle and Nicobar Pigeon nest and feed in the mangrove or stop along their migratory route. Animals like mangrove macaques (monkeys), pythons, lizards, badgers, and the rare Tom’s Pouched Bat, call the mangrove forest home. So ecologically rich is this habitat when well preserved, some unrecorded species have been discovered here.
Farming, fishing and forestry – our region’s three main livelihoods, in that order – are also dependent on the mangrove. Where the mangrove ends, the rice paddy farms begin. One of the mangrove’s most important ecological services is its ability to filter salty ocean water and prevent its intrusion into precious ground water supplies.
The roots of healthy mangroves provide a nutrient-rich habitat for the fish and crabs that sustain our local fisheries. While official studies have not yet been made, the benefits of community forest and mangrove rehabilitation are clear to all involved. Local fisherman have noticed that as previously degraded mangrove grows thicker and taller, catches increase as fish and crab stocks rebound.
Timber and other forestry products for both export and local use are also harvested in the Mangrove. In nearby villages you’ll notice that 90% of homes have thatched roofs of Nipa Palm. Barks are used for dying cloth and tanning leather. Tree fibers are used for making ropes. Various leaves, flowers, fruits and barks are used for indigenous medicine practices.
Finally, mangrove forests also act as a natural barrier during the monsoon season (June-October), protecting our towns and villages from floods, strong winds and even tsunami waves – destructive phenomena that are increasing with climate change. In fact, on a global level they play a crucial role in mitigating and regulating the impacts of climate change and have been found to sequester 3-5x more carbon than upland forests.
Preventing the Illegal Timber Trade
In addition to mangroves, the hill and mountain forests are also in need of protection from illegal logging. In particular Michellia Champaca (Sandlewood) and teak trees and those on which orchids grow are sought and are illegally exported. Some mountain forest areas are protected by RCA-initiated CF sites and the Rakhine Elephant Range; but for the most part these forests fall are categorized as Public Protected Forests that are more difficult to protect. Village conservation committees have been educated about illegal logging and trained to report it to the RCA and local authorities whenever it is found. The RCA also works to follow up on law enforcement.
In the past five years, illegal logging in Southern Rakhine has fallen by approximately 90%, in part thanks to the vigilance of RCA members.